Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist tied the knot in a live-televised wedding ceremony on ABC after getting engaged on the spin-off series The Golden Bachelor.
The 72-year-old retired restaurateur and widow from Hudson, Indiana, and 70-year-old Theresa, a financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, exchanged vows at the exclusive La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California, during a special episode of two hours entitled The Golden Wedding.
The Golden Bachelor ended on November 30 when Gerry chose Theresa over runner-up Leslie Fhima, 64, a fitness instructor from Golden Valley, Minnesota, after spending overnights with both at the Fantasy Suites.
Susan Noles, 66, a wedding officiant from Aston, Pennsylvania, officiated the wedding after appearing on the show and showed off her funny side with a few well-timed jokes.
The episode opened with footage showing Gerry and Theresa spending the holidays with each other and their families for the first time, while also honoring their late spouses.
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist married in a live televised wedding ceremony on ABC after getting engaged on the spin-off series The Golden Bachelor
Jesse Palmer, 45, hosted the wedding and told viewers at the start that his pregnant wife Emely Fardo could give birth to their first child together at any moment.
The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson, 27, and The Golden Bachelor contestant Kathy Swarts, 70, from Austin, Texas, helped Jesse with hosting duties and interviewed guests from The Bachelor franchise.
The Bachelor star Ben Higgins, 34, crashed an interview between Kathy and runner-up Leslie and he promised to be on the dance floor during the wedding reception.
Gerry was left inconsolable after breaking the news to Leslie that things wouldn't work out between them in the November final.
“I took a really good person and it broke their heart,” Gerry said to Jesse afterward, crying. 'I hate myself and I hate everything right now. I think the only time I felt worse in my life was when my wife died. And this is a god**** second place.”
“I'm sorry,” Jesse said.
“She's a good person and I ruined her,” Gerry said.
The Bachelorette star Trista Sutter, 51, and her husband Ryan Sutter, 49, were also among the guests at the wedding.
Joey Graziadei, 28, the next star of The Bachelor, was interviewed by Charity and Kathy ahead of season 28, which premieres January 22 on ABC.
Theresa, a financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, wore a white Badgley Mischka wedding dress as she exchanged vows
Gerry looked Theresa in the eyes as he spoke his wedding vows to her
The 72-year-old retired restaurateur and widow from Hudson, Indiana, and 70-year-old Theresa, a financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, seen on Instagram, exchanged vows at the exclusive La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, California , during a special two-hour episode titled The Golden Wedding
Gerry was the subject of an article published in November prior to the season finale that claimed he has a secret past, including a three-year relationship after the death of his wife and several blue-collar jobs.
Theresa and Gerry let their guests choose their cake during the wedding episode and Jesse said afterwards that he couldn't wait to try it.
Gerry met with jeweler Neil Lane to pick out a wedding ring for himself and a wedding ring for Theresa. Theresa was also shown trying on wedding dresses with her family and friends.
Wedding guest Brayden Bowers, 25, from San Diego, proposed to former The Bachelor contestant Christina Mandrell, 26, from Tennessee, during the episode after recently failing to find love on Bachelor In Paradise and on Charity's season of The Bachelorette.